LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Davis Hartman Wright PLLC’s labor and employment law practice covers a wide array of labor and employment matters on behalf of employers of all sizes and across all industries. Shannon “Missy” Spainhour, head of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, has been consistently recognized as one of the top employment lawyers in the State of North Carolina*.

The firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group offers federal, state, and administrative agency litigation and dispute resolution services ranging from the defense of employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, to wage and hour litigation (including collective and class actions). We handle ERISA and employee benefits litigation, trade secrets disputes, disputes relating to non-competition, non-solicitation, and other agreements, wrongful discharge, defamation, unemployment, and a broad range of federal and state law claims relating to the employment relationship. We litigate aggressively, while always exploring alternatives benefiting clients in each individual matter.

In addition to litigation, our Labor and Employment Practice Group provides advice and counseling so employers can focus on running their businesses, not on technical legal issues. We focus on practical, legally-compliant solutions specific to each unique situation. We help employers keep policies and employee handbooks updated and advantageous. We draft and negotiate employment agreements, including those with non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality agreements. We provide training for supervisors and managers so that they know what they can and cannot do under the law. We help employers determine how best to classify and pay employees and independent contractors. We often provide services as independent investigators of workplace issues. We also help employers whose businesses are in flux by assisting with onboarding new employees and working through reductions in force, terminations, and employee status changes.

The firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group also handles matters relating to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), the Labor Management Relations Act (“LMRA”), the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and other federal and state laws pertaining to the employment relationship.

The firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group relies heavily on its interaction with the firm’s Business Law Practice Group and the firm’s Litigation Practice Group to provide clients with comprehensive and in-depth representation, using the strengths and experience of the attorneys and paralegals in the firm most qualified to handle the various matters and issues that arise.